Zanzibar

The Islands of Zanzibar (also called Unguja) and Pemba and surrounding islets that together form Zanzibar are certainly one of the most attractive and restful locations in the world.

With its Indian, Arab, Persian and Portuguese influences, Zanzibar is a cocktail of culture, people, tradition and color.  Combine this with its natural beauty, tropical climate and laid back atmosphere, Zanzibar is, in our opinion, one of the best ways to begin or end your Tanzanian safari experience.  It is located in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from the Tanzanian coast, and 6° south of the equator.   The capital of the islands, located on the island of Unguja, is also known as Zanzibar.  It is 60 miles long and 20 miles wide, occupying a total area of approximately 650 square miles. The coastal areas with white beaches, mangroves, lagoons and coral reefs compliment the richly fertile areas inland where the spice farms are situated. Zanzibar (Unguja), is also home to the historic Stone Town - said to be the only functioning ancient town in East Africa. Time spent experiencing the different aspects of Zanzibar is highly recommended.

Read about Zanzibar accommodation

ISLANDS          WILDLIFE           PEOPLE & RELIGION          WEATHER          ACCOMMODATION

Islands

Zanzibar (Unguja)

Stone Town

Stone Town is the old city and cultural heart of Zanzibar.  It has remained relatively unchanged for over 200 years. Its mixed cultural influences can be easily identified with its winding lanes, circular towers, carved wooden doors, raised terraces, bustling bazaars, beautiful mosques and grand Arab houses.  

Important architectural features include the Livingstone house, the Giuliani Bridge, and the House of Wonders, a palace constructed by Sultan Barghash in 1883.   Most of the houses that can be seen today were built in the 19th century when Zanzibar was one of the most important trading centres in the Indian Ocean region. 

The alleyways are narrow and the buildings high, providing cool relief from the rising temperatures during the day. The streets are often so narrow and winding, many of them are impassable for cars, which make it an ideal for sightseeing walks.  It is easy to spend hours and days just wandering through the fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and alleyways. Getting lost is almost guaranteed in Stone Town, but in this laid back haven, who really cares? 

Beach Life

Zanzibar's (Unguja), brilliant white beaches bathed in the warm turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean are what visions of paradise are made of.  Here one is provided with the perfect place to relax and soak up the sun. The warm clear waters fringed with coral reefs provide some excellent sites for snorkelling, scuba diving and other water sports.  There are more than 25 excellent beaches in Zanzibar many of these are remote and unspoilt but easily accessed. 

At the northern tip of the island is Nungwi, which is worth the hour or so it takes to get you there.  Here you can swim at low tide without having to wade out a mile into the sea (rare in Zanzibar). On the west coast of Zanzibar, is Mangapwani, and to the east are the beaches of Matemwe, Pwani Mchangani, Kiwengwa, Uroa, Bwejuu and Jambiani.

Zanzibar (Unguja), is also an ideal base from which to explore the many small offshore islands, perfect for day-trips. Prison island is the most popular with tourists because it is only a short trip from Stone Town. Other islets near to Stone Town are Chapwani, Chumbe and Bawe.

Pemba Island

Pemba Island is situated about 80km from Zanzibar Island (Unguja), directly east of Tanga on the Tanzanian mainland. Although smaller than Zanzibar Island Pemba is known for its lush vegetation and forests that exceed that of its neighbour.  For those seeking an adventure, Pemba is a remote, fascinating and beautiful island to visit.

Pemba offers today's visitor a number of attractions including stunning beaches, world-class scuba diving and a number of historical sites. Pemba is a small island and the pace of life is notably different to that of Zanzibar (Unguja).  The people are not indifferent towards tourists, quite refreshingly, villagers are eager to talk to passers-by. Transport is limited to a few (hair-rising) taxi rides, private cars pre-booked transfers and the public bus service. Alternatively, a wonderful way to absorb this island, the landscape and village life is to hire a bicycle for the day.

In getting there, an overnight boat trip from Stone Town is one for the adventurous.  However if you don’t quite have the sea legs, Pemba is home to Abedi Amani Karume, a small and basic airport which has daily flights connecting you to Zanzibar (Unguja).  Charter flights also available.
 

Mafia Island

Mafia Island officially forms part of mainland Tanzania.  However, due to its proximity to Zanzibar, close to the Rufiji Delta, it is accessible by a short flight from Zanzibar. Chole Bay, Mafia's protected deep-water anchorage and the original harbour, is studded with islands, sandbanks and beaches. Mafia is little changed from ancient times and retains a traditional, friendly culture. 

Chole Bay and its surrounding forests and islands are now within the protected Mafia Island Marine Park. The reefs offer a great range of corals and fish; excellent for diving and snorkelling Outside the Bay unbroken reef runs the length of the island, from Tutia in the south to Ras Mkumbi at the northern tip.

Other activities on Mafia Island include bird-watching, fishing, visits to the villages, historic archaeological sites, coastal forests, coconut plantations and traditional boat-building yards.

Wildlife

There are no large wild animals in Zanzibar, and forest areas are inhabited by monkeys, bush-pigs and small antelopes. Various species of mongoose can also be found on the island. There is a wide variety of birdlife, a large number of butterflies in rural areas and turtle sanctuaries (Northern beaches).  The coral reefs that surround the East Coast are rich in marine life, and make Zanzibar an ideal location for snorkelling and scuba diving. 

People and Religion

Zanzibar's local people are an incredible mixture of ethnic backgrounds.  Islam is the dominant religion, and practiced by most Zanzibaris, although there are also followers of Christianity and Hinduism. As Zanzibar are predominantly Islamic islands, during the month of Ramadan (October/November) many of its residents fast from dawn to dusk. This impacts daily life as soft drink and food stalls remain off the streets and in respect, tourists are advised not to eat in public during the daylight hours.  A modest dress code, especially for women, should be respected year round when away from the beach and in public places. Topless sunbathing is a criminal offence.  The population is estimated at 800,000, with the largest concentration being Zanzibar City which has approximately 100,000 inhabitants. Zanzibaris speak Swahili (known locally as Kiswahili), a language which is spoken extensively in East Africa..

Weather

Zanzibar experiences ideal holiday weather for most of the year.  The heat of summer is seasonally often cooled by windy conditions, resulting in pleasant sea breezes, particularly on the North and East coasts. Average temperatures in are 28-35C (85F-95F) with relative humidity.   

Accommodation

Zanzibar accommodation